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Martin can continue to plunder York
As I type Heartbreak City is crossing the line to complete a well orchestrated plan by Tony Martin’s team and in turn boosting the confidence of those who wish to follow up on Dark Crusader on Thursday and Quick Jack in the Ebor.
The possibility of overflowing satchels for the bookmakers was short-lived as that result was bound to extract their Juddmonte International gains.
Just before the off the layers smelt blood and on Betfair Golden Horn was trading at 1.58, which is why the layers on course had the confidence to go 1-2, though somehow the starting price was 4-9.
Kicking off with the first race won by Caspian Prince and canvassing the opinions of the on-course bookmakers there was a feeling that the turnover was promising and on a par with recent years. One rails firm took 176 bets, not bad for a big-field handicap.
However punters in attendance were, quite rightly, grumbling that there was a lack of bookmakers betting a quarter the odds. Not great, when we can all get on our mobiles and get those terms and, in some cases, bet five places.
I know all the arguments and reasoning, but as I’ve consistently said when these 16-21 runner handicaps only account for just over 2% of races throughout the year then it’s a sorry state.
Moving on to the Acomb Stakes, which was a wide-open affair on paper, and one which some took a punt right near the off on Lieutenant General. Recorder stayed on doggedly in the end to earn a general 33-1 quote for the 2,000 Guineas, while Ladbrokes were only happy to offer 16-1.
A 13th win that was for trainer William Haggas at the Ebor Meeting since 2009, and we only had to wait 35 minutes for win number 14, although we were made to sweat.
Prior to the Betway Great Voltigeur, Storm The Stars was 6-1 favourite for the Ladbrokes St Leger, with all barring Tashaar entered up to take him on at Doncaster next month; an ideal test. Eight of the last 20 St Leger winners had indeed run in the Voltigeur.
Down the home straight Storm The Stars took Bondi Beach the scenic route across the Knavesmire yet not sufficiently for Storm The Stars to lose the race.
York racecourse played a blinder in all of this. The huge expectant crowd stood in an orderly fashion in front of each respective bookmaker hoping for the result of the Stewards’ Enquiry to be in their favour.
The announcements over the PA system were clear and concise and put the coverage of the deliberating stewards on the big screens. Although there wasn’t sound, all those in attendance were informed, they could see they weren’t waiting in vain and they didn’t have to fret.
Bookmakers were allowed to get on with organising themselves for the Juddmonte International mindful of the different payout scenarios.
Quotes for the St Leger were biggest for Storm The Stars with the Ladbrokes at 5-1 and Boylesports were biggest Bondi Beach at 10-1.
The knock-on effect from the protracted enquiry was that it ate in to the time available to take bets on the International, so in hindsight it saved the punters a few shillings, or did it?
I couldn’t find many who backed the winner, yet Joe Huddlestone who it has been well-document bought pitch one, laid a smatter of each-way bets.
What a performance by Arabian Queen in the International! It may pan out that not enough respect was paid to her, or indeed initially Dick Doughtywylie, who kept on gamely to be fifth. She had got loose at Epsom in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes earlier in the year and was only two lengths behind Ervedya in the Coronation Stakes and third in the Nassau to Legatissimo.
All the beaten horses had the softish ground as their excuse for their defeats.
Can there be more of the same for Tony Martin fans in Thursday’s York 4.20?
Dark Crusader wears the T-shirt of having been there and done that before in 2013 and she was a winner at Galway last time out.
With Haggas doing so well, it is best to join the party and where better than in a race he is seeking a hat-trick of victories and that is the 1.55. He runs Tasleet, who was second to Shalaa in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. The form may not have worked out well with Adventurous running ninth in the Acomb Stakes but even so prior to that Tasleet looked tidy.
Tanya Stevenson's Thursday Ebor tips
1.55 York: Tasleet at 7-4 generally available
4.20 York: Dark Crusader at 9-1 generally available
Tanya Stevenson pointers:
1.55 York - DBS Yearling Stakes:
Eight of the last nine winners were drawn in stall 11 or higher
William Haggas is attempting a third straight win in the race with Tasleet
Only four of the last nine favourites have won
The last nine winners had at least one win under their belt.
2.30 York - Lowther Stakes:
In the last 20 years, 15 Lowther winners have gone on to race in the Cheveley Park Stakes, five have won, 2014 Tiggy Wiggy, 2012 Rosdhu Queen, 2010 Hooray, 2003 Carry On Katie and 2001 Queen’s Logic
Since 1994 10 Lowther winners have gone on the following season to run in the 1000 Guineas three have won 1994 Harayir, 1997 Cape Verdi and 2002 Russian Rhythm
Fifteen of the last 20 winners came from the first three in the betting
Seven of the last 10 winners had run at Royal Ascot
Sixteen of the last 20 winners had run no more than three times previously
Seventeen of the last 20 winners had finished in the first two last time out
None of the last ten winners had gone via Glorious Goodwood
Since 1994 six fillies maintained their unbeaten record in the Lowther 2012 Rosdhu Queen, 2011 Best Terms, 2005 Flashy Wings, 2003 Carry On Katie, 2002 Russian Rhythm, 2001 Queen’s Logic, 1996 Bianca Nera
Last time Ireland won the race was 1986 Jim Bolger’s Polonia (this year Most Beautiful)
Margot Did in 2010, Fleeting Spirit 2007, Indian Ink 2006 all finished second in the Lowther before going on to greater things and Group One glory
3.05 York - Clipper Logistics Handicap:
Eight of the last nine winners have been aged either three or four.
Eight of the last nine winners carried 8-10 or more.
Only Short Squeeze last year had previously won at the course
Only two of the last ten winners have won on their most recent start
3.40 York - Yorkshire Oaks:
Sir Michael Stoute has won the race nine times – Crystal Zvezda
Five of the last 10 favourites have won (10 of the last 20)
Sixteen of the last 20 winners of the Yorkshire Oaks came from the first three in the betting
Seven of the last ten winners had won at least one Group One.
Seventeen of the last 20 winners finished in the first three on their most recent start
Only two of the last 12 Oaks winners to compete have won, 2006 Alexandrova & 1999 Ramruma – last year Taghrooda was beaten at 1-5
Since 1994 37 fillies beaten in the Oaks have tried to gain compensation in the Yorkshire Oaks and six have won (1995 Pure Grain, 2000 Petrushka, 2002 Islington, 2007 Peeping Fawn, 2008 Lush Lashes & 2011 Blue Bunting)
Irish Oaks winners in the race
The only two fillies since 1994 to be beaten in the Irish Oaks and come on to win the Yorkshire Oaks are Key Change in 1996 and Tapestry last year (36 have tried, 34 of them failed, and today Jack Naylor and Curvy have a go)
The biggest priced winner in the last ten years is 8-1
